Re: AR mount for IOR 3.5-15x50
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bignada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very professional looking piece of gear.
IOR seems to continue to make their variables rather long in the ocular lens assembly, combine this with a lengthy magnification ring and you run into AR mounting problems, because the ocular with diopter adjusted needs to be ahead of the charging handle stop on the upper receiver for correct target recognition without hunting for your cheek weld...
The massive turret housing also limits mounting options.
On an AR-10, not as much a problem as you have several more slots on the upper. With a continuous rail upper receiver on an AR-15 you would be fine.
People bitch about Leupold. The ocular lenses and short oal designs, plus the 50% weight savings their Mk4 variables offer compared to the highly touted "great glass" scopes make them a better choice for AR use, unless you shoot from static position or rest all the time. Maybe Gunga Din who carries your crew served weapon won't mind the weight?
A 16 or 17 pound AR is not terribly fast to deploy. Have 2 GAP built AR-10Ts. One has an NXS 2.5-10 24mm, the other a 22" has the 4.5-14 mk4. With 20 rd loaded mags the 22" weighs 14.25# and the 18" NXS mounted 10T weighs 13. Neither rifle kept its magpul sniper stock either which saved another 2lbs. Don't need the adjustable cheek piece or the weight.
Want that "great glass"? Not like it is that much different for target recognition or precision at distance, but sitting behind the scope for hours; maybe it reduces some fatigue?
Having to make all sorts of accommodations to use a sighting mechanism and to hamper a semi-auto with unnecessary weight is short-sighted in my book. The NXS and Mk4 scopes each weigh about the same, within a few ounces. The lighter rifle is carried much more often, and responds with greater speed from carry-ready position. </div></div>
You make a very valid point. That is why I'm using a decent QR mount. I have other optics in QR mounts, zeroed and indexed to the toprail slots. Then it is just a matter of moments to pop on my aimpoint, accupoint or similar, and be pretty much back on target.
Although "return to zero" is not an absolute, for me, the benefits of QR outweigh those of a more permanent solution.